Dinamo Zagreb v Celtic: Manchester United loan star good for goal

Angelo Henriquez could find the net with a Europa League souvenir in this dead rubber

Celtic head to Croatia this Thursday, for a Europa League fixture representing the very definition of futility in the world of European football.

The Bhoys are 5/2 to win and have already qualified for the knockout stages but are unable to catch top side Red Bull Salzburg while the best 11/10 favourites Dinamo Zagreb can hope for is to beat Astra to a face-saving third place in the group.

With the Scottish champions likely to rest several players, the 23/10 on a third consecutive draw for the Hoops away from home in the competition may tempt but we’ve got three even better shouts ahead of kick-off.

As previously mentioned, Celtic have made a habit of picking up single points away from home in the Europa League this term drawing 2-2 with Salzburg in Austria and 1-1 with Astra on their last trip away from Parkhead to Romania.

In fact, the Hoops have picked up score draws in each of their previous four away games in this competition, having been held by Rennes and Udinese in previous years and with Dinamo looking to save some face, a similar outcome could be on the cards.

For all their defensive frailties on the road in Europe, Ronny Deila’s team have enjoyed some early delight in both of their previous away day outings, scoring the opener in both of their previous games away from Celtic Park in this year’s competition.

From Wakaso Mubarak’s first goal in Austria to Stefan Johansen’s opener against Astra, early leads have definitely been their thing while the last visitors to the Stadion Maksimir in this competition scored first.

On loan from Manchester United, the man once regarded as the natural successor to Javier Hernandez at Old Trafford has fared well since his move to Croatia and has scored plenty of goals in the Europa League this term, despite Dinamo’s disastrous campaign.

The 20-year-old has scored seven goals in 11 league games for the Croatian side with the Chilean netting three goals in four Europa League appearances and looks the best bet to score again here with several of Celtic’s main strikers likely to sit this one out.

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Jack Beresford is a content writer with over five years of experience in writing about sport and betting, including a two-year spell with Axonn Media. Contributes articles to HereIsTheCity and Lad Bible, while previous credits include Bwin, FTB Pro, Bleacher Report and the QBE rugby. Avid follower of tennis, rugby union, motorsport and football, Jack also writes about poker for Cardspiel.com alongside Guardian journalist Dominic Wells.

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